Gael Stigant

The search is on for these South Yorkshire shoppers – the first visitors to the Sheffield’s Meadowhall Shopping Centre when its doors first opened nearly 25 years ago.

Thousands of people queued up to take the first peek at the new shopping centre on September 4, 1990.

Meadowhall is searching for the first shoppers who visited the centre when it opened 25 years ago

At the time, the centre was at the cutting edge of the retail industry as one of the first out-of-town shopping centres, offering free parking and a variety of stores under one roof.

As Meadowhall staff prepare to celebrate the centre’s silver anniversary, new archive footage has come to light showing the first people who walked through the doors.

The centre is now hoping to trace those customers to share their memories of the day. Darren Pearce, centre director, said: “We want people to see the pictures and hopefully spot a loved one or a neighbour.

“If someone knows that 25 years ago they were at the front of that queue, we would love to hear from them – your memories are our memories.

Meadowhall is searching for the first shoppers who visited the centre when it opened 25 years ago

“We know people came from all over Yorkshire and beyond for that big day and we hope we will hear from customers from Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster, as well as further afield.”

People can contact Meadowhall via its Facebook or Twitter pages. Alternatively, email emily.williams@mkthingshappen.co.uk with your details and one of the team will be in touch.